FTC: Confidential Documents Can Be Filed Electronically

The FTC will let confidential documents be filed electronically starting May 12, the agency said Tuesday. The changes reflect the agency’s decision to adopt revisions to its rules of practice, which were published in Wednesday's Federal Register, the agency said. Changes to Part 4 rules include removing the requirement that confidential documents only be filed in paper form along with a copy on a CD or DVD; the deadline for filing electronic documents is until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, while paper documents must be filed by 5 p.m. Eastern; and parties in administrative litigation may be served electronically in some cases, the FTC said. Semantic changes were made to Part 3 rules to conform to the changes to Part 4, the agency said. Commissioners voted unanimously to issue the revisions.